There was great hope that this 2022 World Series of Poker would produce a record-setting Main Event. It had potential. And many of this year’s events set their own records, smashing past turnout and bringing the masses to the tables at the new Bally’s and Paris venues.
However, there were two factors in the way. One was the persistent Covid-19 spread around the poker tables. Some felt it too dangerous to attend and play, as few players wore masks. There was also no vaccination requirement. The other factor is the economy, which hasn’t yet recovered from the pandemic and continues to struggle to fight off a recession. Everyone’s finances are not full of $10K for a Main Event buy-in.
The current tally of players, including those who registered on Day 2ABC, is 8,153. The record number to beat was 8,773 in 2006, followed closely by 8,569 in 2020.
The 2022 WSOP Main Event likely won’t break the record but will become one of the top three well-attended Main Events in history.
Event 70: $10K NLHE Main Event
The playdown began. On Thursday, the survivors from the first three Main Event flights gathered to play on. There was also a late registration period for players to still enter the tournament for the first two levels of the day. That registration period will be open again today. When it ends, they will tabulate the numbers and announce the field and prize pool.
Day 2ABC started with 2,641 survivors and added 148 new players. When it was all said and done, only 1,262 players bagged chips at the conclusion of play. They will now take a day off as Day 2D plays down its 1D field.
Event 70: Day 2ABC
$10K buy-in
NLHE World Championship Main Event
Total (not final):
8,153 so far
(8569 in 2019, 6650 in 2021)
Total 1A entries:
896
Total 1B entries:
879
Total 1C entries:
1,860
Total 1D entries:
4,370
New ABC entries:
148
Players after 2ABC:
1,262
Total prize pool:
TBD
Players paid:
TBD
Minimum payout:
TBD
Winner payout:
TBD
Overall chip counts:
#1
Gavin Munroe (USA) 1,061,500
#2
Karim Rebei (France) 932,000
#3
Nick Howard (USA) 810,500
#4
Ariya Iwato (USA) 755,500
#5
Steven Stolzenfeld (USA) 708,500
Event 71: $1K NLHE One More for One Drop
This is always a fun tournament for players. In contrast to the Main Event, it is a $1K buy-in and unlimited reentries. It also has a charity component, as the $111 fee attached to each buy-in goes to the global charity called One Drop. It aims to provide water to people around the world.
The first of three starting flights brought in 841 entries and ended the night with just over 250 players remaining. They will return on Sunday with other flight survivors to play down to the money.
Event 71: Day 1A of 5
$1,111 buy-in
One More for One Drop NLHE (unlimited RE)
Total entries:
841 (so far)
(6248 in 2019, 3797 in 2021)
Players remaining:
253
Total prize pool:
TBD
Players paid:
TBD
Minimum payout:
TBD
Winner payout:
TBD
Top chip counts:
#1:
Remmei Liu (Canada) 445,500
#2:
Justin Fawcett (USA) 438,500
#3:
Justin Lee (USA) 357,000
#4:
Rommel Berges (Belize) 350,000
#5:
Aaron Earthman (USA) 347,500
Event 72: $1,500 Mixed Omaha
Players were anxious to play something other than the Main Event and No Limit Hold’em. They found this Mixed Omaha tournament appealing to the tune of 771 entries. The prize pool soared above $1M. Only 223 players made it through the night and will continue to vie for this unique bracelet.
Event 72: Day 1 of 3
$1,500 buy-in
Mixed Omaha (2 RE)
Total entries:
771
(717 in 2019, 640 in 2021)
Players remaining:
223
Total prize pool:
$1,029,285
Players paid:
116
Minimum payout:
$2,413
Winner payout:
$195,565
Top chip counts:
#1:
Kate Krickl (USA) 280,500
#2:
Mark Erickson (USA) 262,000
#3:
David Prociak (USA) 244,000
#4:
Giuseppe Liantonio (USA) 243,000
#5:
James Chen (Taiwan) 223,500
Today’s Poker Menu
Event 70 gives Day 1D survivors the chance to play the Main Event further.
Event 71 plays the second flight of One More for One Drop tournament with unlimited reentries.
Event 72 tries to find the final table of the Mixed Omaha tournament.
Event 73 begins a three-day $1,500 buy-in Razz tournament.
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